Tradition

إنّما هُوَ عِيْدٌ لِمَنْ قَبِلَ اللّهُ صِيامَهُ وَ شَكَرَ قِيامَهُ وَ كُلُّ يَوْم لايُعْصَى اللّهُ فِيهِ فَهُوَ عَيْدٌ

Imam ‘Ali (‘a) is narrated to have said: “This day (the day of ‘Ïd al-Fitr) is the ‘Ïd1 of those whose fasting and worship has been accepted by God; and indeed, every day that you do not sin is a day of ‘Ïd.”2

Brief Commentary

The celebration that we hold after fasting for thirty days during the blessed month of Ramadan is in reality a celebration over our conquest of our lusts and desires. This is a celebration of our obedience to God and his commands. Therefore, such a day is a day of celebration for those who have obeyed God in his commands and have understood the ultimate philosophy of their actions. Yet for those who have dishonored such a month and who have not attempted to educate and train themselves in the obedience of God, such a day is nothing but a day of grief and sorrow.

• 1. ‘Ïd can generally be understood as a day of celebration or a holy day.
• 2. Nahj al-Balaghah, Aphorism 428, Wasa'il Al-Shi’a, vol. 15, p. 308, Mustadrak Al-Wasa’il, vol. 6, p. 149, Rawdhat Al-Wa'idheen, vol. 2, p. 354. Sharh Nahj Al-Balaghah, vol. 20, p. 73.